HRC 47: Item 2, Interactive Dialogue on the Annual report by the High Commissioner - statement by Sweden

Madame President,

Sweden aligns itself with the EU statement.

We continue to support the High Commissioner and the UNSG’s Call to Action for Human Rights.

The UN human rights pillar needs predictable and adequate funding. Sweden is an has been for many years one of the OHCHR’s largest supporters both financially and in political terms.

Sweden’s Drive for Democracy and Feminist Foreign Policy continue. We push for women’s, girls’ and LGBTIQ persons’ enjoyment of human rights, SRHR for all and the elimination of SGBV in all its forms.

The situation remains concerning both; in Belarus, where the rights to freedom of expression, and assembly are further restricted, including by arbitrary detention of HRDs and media workers, and by legislation enabling repression; and in Russia, where the court ruling effectively banning the activities of Navalny’s anti-corruption organization further threatens democratic space. Russia and Belarus should immediately and unconditionally release those arbitrarily detained, including Alexei Navalny, Roman Pratasevich and Sofia Sapega.

The human rights situation in China remains concerning, especially in Tibet, Hong Kong and Xinjiang. We urge China to respect international law including human rights, especially the right to freedom of expression and the rights of persons belonging to minorities. The continued arbitrary detention of Swedish and EU citizen Gui Minhai has to end.

We reiterate our call for accountability for human rights violations in Tigray and elsewhere in Ethiopia. We will attach priority to the joint investigation’s findings in Tigray.

We emphasize the civil society’s need for a safe space in Egypt without fear of reprisals; we repeat that intimidation of journalists and trade union representatives must end in the Philippines; and we reiterate the importance of protecting HRDs, including women HRDs in Iran as well as Saudi Arabia.

We underline the importance of the cease-fire in Israel and Palestine. The indiscriminate and recurring firing of rockets into Israel by terrorist groups in the Gaza Strip is unacceptable. The conflict’s root causes must be addressed, including settlement expansion evictions and demolitions. A negotiated two-state solution based on international law is needed. The Palestinian government needs to ensure respect for human rights in areas under its control.

Thank you.